Toolbox Talk – Mobile Plant & Construction Vehicles

This weeks Toolbox Talk is focused on Mobile Plant and construction vehicles. As mobile plants and construction vehicles are essential for efficient construction projects. It is the duty of the contractor to ensure that this equipment is kept in good working order for safety, performance, and longevity. Regular maintenance ensures they operate effectively within their intended design, minimising downtime and maximising productivity on job sites.

Contractors Duties

A Contractor must ensure all Construction Vehicles and Mobile Plant:

• Are of an acceptable design and construction.
• Are used in accordance with their design and the intention for which they were designed.
• Are maintained and in a GOOD WORKING ORDER.
• No person rides or is required or permitted to ride on a construction vehicle or mobile plant other than in a safe place provided for that purpose.
• Tools, materials and equipment are secured and separated by means of a physical barrier in order to prevent movement when transported in the same compartment with employees.
• Must ensure every construction site is organised in such a way that, as far as reasonably practicable, that vehicles and pedestrians can move safely without risk to health.
• Traffic routes on site are suitable for persons, vehicles and mobile plants to use. Have sufficient numbers and sufficient size to accommodate vehicles and persons.
• All traffic routes have the necessary signage displayed.
• Are equipped with an acoustic WARNING DEVICE which can be activated by the operator.
• Are equipped with an AUTOMATIC ACOUSTIC reversing alarm.

All construction vehicles and mobile plant left unattended at night, adjacent to a public road in normal use or adjacent to construction areas where work is in progress, have appropriate lights or reflectors, or barricades equipped with appropriate lights or reflectors, in order to identify the location of the vehicles or plant. All construction vehicle traveling or working on public roads must comply with the national road traffic act.

Mobile Plant & Construction Vehicles Requirements

• Are fitted with structures designed to protect the operator from falling material or from being crushed should the vehicle or mobile plant overturn.
• All construction vehicle or mobile plant when not in use have buckets, booms or similar appendages, fully lowered or blocked, controls in neutral, brakes set and ignition secured.
• Where additional visibility warrant additional lighting – all mobile plant are equipped with at least two head and taillights.
• Have suitable means of access and egress.

At night, all construction vehicles and mobile plants left unattended, either beside a public road in active use or within construction zones undergoing work, must be equipped with proper lights or reflectors, or barricades fitted with appropriate lights or reflectors to ensure their visibility. Additionally, any construction vehicles operating or traveling on public roads are required to adhere to the regulations outlined in the national road traffic act.

Download the full Toolbox Talk document on Mobile Plant & Construction Vehicles below: